Canada needs standards on use of tasers: Therien

September 22, 2008
The Hill Times
CANADA'S POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT NEWSWEEKLY

The report, prepared by John Kiedrowski, of the University of Ottawa's Criminology Department, ordered by RCMP Commissioner Bill Elliott into the use of tasers following the death of a Polish immigrant at Vancouver airport last October urges the federal government to set national standards for taser use by all police services in Canada, under its power in the Criminal Code to regulate firearms. The Canada Safety Council has long advocated and fully agrees that standards for the efficacy and use of tasers must be developed. This is a position shared by many concerned organizations. Without question, establishing standards would be a huge step in the right direction.

Emile Therien
Past president, Canada Safety Council
Ottawa, Ont.